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“At long last, the dog has his day! Lockjaw spends most of his time defending the Inhuman empire alongside Black Bolt and Medusa. But when he gets a message that his long-lost litter mates are in danger, he’ll spring into action to save them! But wait – Lockjaw has brothers and sisters? Can they teleport? Are they Inhuman? Can they possibly be as gosh-darned cute as their big brother? All the answers are here! Get ready for an adventure worth fetching for!”

If there’s one thing to take from ABC’s Inhumans show, it was that we needed more Lockjaw in our lives. Even though the show went slowly down in flames, we never got lost sight of the most crucial part. The cutest puppy in outer space. Marvel excels when giving us the stories we didn’t know we needed, especially if they read like it would be hilarious and fun to hear the pitch. With Lockjaw #1, writer by Daniel Kibblesmith, Carlos Villa (pencils), Roberto Poggi (inks), and Chris O’ Halloran on color with letters by Clayton Cowles, deliver us an original yet lively story of a very good boy.

via Marvel Comics

Daniel Kibblesmith writes Lockjaw with the type of humor and wit that comes with writing about a giant puppy from space. In the first issue alone, Kibblesmith creates some memorable moments with Lockjaw that have readers wondering where the story will really lead. We see Lockjaw with the three members of the Inhumans for a brief period, but when he gets a call (signal? sign? flashback?), he springs into action and immediately goes to earth. This already lends itself to an exciting story. Lockjaw can’t speak, but he can certainly lead. We need someone to help him on his journey. We need someone who’s willing (or forced) to go on this adventure with him while we also figure out what’s going to happen next. Kibblesmith does that with a blast from the past that couldn’t have come at a perfect time.

Dennis “Demolition Man” Dunphy is a superhero that not a lot of people know. D-Man fought alongside Captain America, built his costume out of hand-me-downs from Daredevil and Wolverine’s costumes and came out in the best way possible. He’s a living legend hidden deep in the shadows of some comics archives, with an emotional rollercoaster of a backstory.

via Marvel Comics

Kibblesmith’s re-introduces the world to Dennis Dunphy is a bit of a “huh?” moment. However, it’s done so brilliantly. Dunphy is that lead-in the reader needs in observing this dog tale with. The way he writes Dunphy is astounding like he never missed a beat from his early comic book days. Dunphy sits in Bushwick, forgotten by many standards. He battles depression and low-self esteem. Still carries flaws that need to be fixed, not by a person, but by an event. Here, Nibblesmith introduces two completely different words coming together. He leads us in with Dunphy to figure out what Lockjaw is doing and how this will all turn out.

However, this wouldn’t come together so brilliantly if it wasn’t for Chris O’ Halloran’s colors. He sets the mood for this comic in a way that highlights the characters even more. You’ll fall in love with the moody-angsty ridden blues shine in Dunphy’s panels and the natural browns of good boy Lockjaw is. O’Halloran does an unbelievable job balancing both the lighthearted nature of the moody of Dunphy’s woes and space.

via Marvel Comics

Clayton Clowes knows his lettering. A particular highly of his lettering that I adored so much was the voiceover of D-Man. Clowes knows just where to place to guide your eyes through the story and to make what a character says land. There’s a particular panel that combines the all the elements of art, writing, and lettering into one perfect little panel that made me laugh out loud. Mrs. Gillespie is outside, looking at the attack from these weird drones as D-Man and Lockjaw fight them. In a medium shot, with her fingers lifting her glasses she says, “What gay voodoo is this?” I’ve never laughed so hard at a panel. I think Clowes’ lettering made that panel, but Kibblesmith sure sold it.

Lockjaw #1 isn’t your regular comic. You’re totally missing out on something special if you don’t pick it up. This is a story about a man and a dog. Not particularly his dog, and he might not be the best man, but they’re weaved in a story that will carry a ton of misadventures to satisfy. It’s a journey story about Lockjaw told though D-Man and who knows where it will take us. Who knows if Lockjaw will find all brothers and sisters? I’m super down for this adventure of a man and the best dog. Lockjaw #1 is now available on Comixology and your local comic shop.

02/28/18 Releases – In addition to LOCKJAW #1, here’s a list of other new titles that came out this week that you should be reading.